Palliative And End Of Life Care For Paramedics

Paramedics are often the first port of call for those requiring emergency medical attention and therefore frequently encounter patients who are receiving palliative or end of life care. As professionals whose training focuses on saving lives, how can paramedics help patients who are approaching the end of theirs? Palliative and End of Life Care for Paramedics provides a comprehensive overview of palliative and end of life care and how it fits in with the role of the paramedic. Bringing together a range of authors, including paramedics and palliative care specialists, the book covers relevant aspects of caring for patients at the end of life. Topics include philosophy, ethics and psychosocial factors as well as how to deal with palliative care emergencies, symptom control and caring for the dying patient. It also covers enhanced communication skills and supporting relatives and loved ones along with a chapter on professional resilience as a paramedic and coping with death. Putting end of life care within the context of the paramedic role, the book also contains case study scenarios which allow the reader to apply theory to their practice. It is essential reading for all those hoping to better understand the complexities of caring for patients approaching the end of life.

When caring for a patient nearing the end of his or her life, paramedics often need to make the difficult decision as to whether hospital admission is appropriate; meaning that an understanding palliative and end-of-life care is often integral to their role. This book provides a comprehensive overview of palliative and end-of-life care and how it fits in with the role of the paramedic. Chapters incorporate case scenarios to help the reader apply theory to practice and cover a range of issues such as ethics, end-of-life communication, handling bereaved relatives, as well as looking at those illnesses where a palliative approach might be beneficial. It also offers information on reversible palliative care emergencies that do require acute admission.

Enhanced Palliative Care A Handbook for Paramedics, Nurses and Doctors. Specifically designed to enhance your knowledge and skills within generalist palliative care, this informative textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the principle areas you may encounter whilst working with adult palliative and end-of-life patients, and their families. The development of the text has been backed by Macmillan Cancer Support and each chapter has been written by a range of specialist and generalist authors. The topics covered include approaches to palliative care and symptom management in a wide range of conditions and populations, with chapters linked to case studies to encourage interactive learning and understanding. Communication skills are also highlighted to help aid confidence when engaging in open and difficult conversations. The text is in line with the Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines and the NES Framework for Palliative and End of Life Care. The book may either be used as course reading for relevant training programmes, such as the Enhanced Palliative Care course, as well as by healthcare professionals hoping to develop their skills and practice. It is aimed at anyone involved in management and prescribing within non-specialist palliative care, both in hospitals and in the community, including paramedics, nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and other key health professionals.

Specifically designed to enhance your knowledge and skills within generalist palliative care, this informative textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the principle areas you may encounter whilst working with adult palliative and end-of-life patients, and their families. The development of the text has been backed by Macmillan Cancer Support and each chapter has been written by a range of specialist and generalist authors. The topics covered include approaches to palliative care and symptom management in a wide range of conditions and populations, with chapters linked to case studies to encourage interactive learning and understanding. Communication skills are also highlighted to help aid confidence when engaging in open and difficult conversations. The text is in line with Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines and the NES Framework for Palliative and End of Life Care. The book may either be used as course reading for relevant training programmes, such as the Enhanced Palliative Care course, as well as by healthcare professionals hoping to develop their skills and practice. It is aimed at anyone involved in management and prescribing within non-specialist palliative care, both in hospitals and in the community, including paramedics, nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and other key health professionals.

The Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee guidelines are the essential resource for paramedics. The 2019 edition of the book has been brought up to date with the latest evidence and developments in clinical practice. JRCALC combines expert advice with practical guidance to help paramedics in their challenging roles with the overall objective of improving patient care. Key updates are: •Resuscitation and cardiac arrest. The pathophysiology of cardiac arrest, checklist use and pulseless electrical activity is discussed extensively within the context of every day out of hospital practice. A new guideline on tracheostomy and laryngectomy is included, alongside clinical skills photographs. •Consent and patient confidentiality. The guideline is brought up to date with the Data Protection Act 2018 following the General Data Protection Regulations. •Mental health presentation: crisis, distress and disordered behaviour. A reviewed guideline supports the clinician with practical help on the assessment and management of different mental health illnesses. •Major, complex and high risk Incidents. A revision by the National Ambulance Resilience Unit covers poisons, rail incidents and police incapacitants. •New medicines are included: Activated charcoal, duodote and morphine sulfate for end of life care. •Other reviews and updates include: head injury, hyperventilation syndrome, stroke, respiratory illness in children and acute coronary syndrome.

This handbook is an essential guide to caring for the community palliative care patient in relation to COVID-19, when the patient’s preferred place of care is at home or the hospice. It will guide you through appropriate care procedures and protocols in managing end-of-life patients who show symptoms of COVID-19. Key features include: Difficult conversations and communication skills Symptom management Advance care planning Caring for stable patients with palliative needs and those who are at end-of-life Supporting the family and friends of the patient Your own well-being as a healthcare professional Supported by applicable case studies from a range of community care settings, this guide will be relevant to anyone affected by the challenges of COVID-19 when managing end-of-life patients or caring for older people, including paramedics, nurses and palliative care providers.

Emergency Birth in the Community is the essential resource for all healthcare professionals who come into contact with emergency deliveries in the community setting, including midwives and GPs. The book has been specifically adapted from the official JRCALC Guidelines, which covers the established standard for prehospital care.

This comprehensive volume provides a practical framework for evaluation, management and disposition of this growing vulnerable patient population.